Vivaldi’s “Spring”
It is difficult to find a person who did not hear Vivaldi’s “Spring” from “The Four Seasons” at least once without knowing the author and the work’s title. I heard it many times in various commercials, movies, and musical backgrounds in public places. It consists of three parts performed in different tempos and is united by a common theme. The instruments in this composition are typical for Baroque music, including strings and a harpsichord. The solo part is completed on violin in all three parts of the discussed musical piece.
This composition describes the change of seasons and the beginning of spring, and I think it creates a vivid picture using the means of musical expression. For example, the violin plays mildly at the beginning of the piece and creates the image of the first leaves that appear after the long winter. Then, the tempo and the dynamics of the piece increase, creating the vision of the active flourishing of nature in spring. The accompaniment also becomes louder and tenser, emphasizing the growth of new leaves and the awakening of all plants and animals. In other words, it is possible to connect the imagery of spring awakening of the environment with the change in dynamics, meter, texture, and instrumentation of the discussed musical piece.
The piece is balanced, and the central musical themes develop and repeat throughout the concert. It unites all three parts of “Spring” and creates the illusion of the cycle according to the musical composition and the nature develop. The melody is conjunct throughout the piece, and it emphasizes the implied connection between the months of the year. Therefore, there are parallels between musical development and the natural course of events in the season change.
“This Land is Your Land” and “Bring Me Little Water Silvy”
“This Land is Your Land” and “Bring Me Little Water Silvy” have similar harmony and structure, making them sound alike. Both songs have the spirit of the folk composition reflected in the typical rhythmic pattern and overall way of performing them. At the same time, “This Land is Your Land” is written for the guitar, banjo, harmonica, and voice, while “Bring Me Little Water Silvy” is performed acapella, while the singers clap in hands to emphasize the meter. Therefore, these songs create a similar impression on the audience despite their distinctions.
It is possible to assume that the standard meter and four beats in 1 measure create the feeling that these compositions are alike. Moreover, the melodies are comparatively monotonous and do not develop throughout the musical pieces. The meter does not also change from the beginning of the songs until their end. The choruses and the refrains have a typical structure for folk songs, which makes the melodic line expected in both musical pieces. Thus, the phrasing of both compositions is also similar, which creates the feeling that one song is the logical continuation of another.
At the same time, the song “This Land is Your Land” has a more solemn and patriotic message compared to “Bring Me Little Water Silvy.” It is reflected in the lyrics of the compositions, and the musical background enhances these messages. It is possible to assume that the text determines the significant differences between these two musical pieces and contrasts how the audience perceives these melodies. Both songs have the familiar folk spirit evident in their harmony, structure, instrumentation, and meter.